12 days / 11 nights
Bergen • Kirkenes • Bergen
VOYAGE FARES 2010 (PDF document will open in new window)
Hurtigruten has been an integral part of Norway's coastal life for over 100 years, so make sure you plan your holiday to be on board over this period to sample the atmosphere and understand what this special day really means to the locals.
A spectacular 12 day Norway cruise from the lush green south in Bergen, north to Kirkenes and returning to Bergen enjoying incredible scenery and exploring coastal communities along the way.
17th May is Norway's Constitution Day and is celebrated with children's parades and festivities throughout the country. It is the colourful processions of children with their banners, flags and bands that play the main role and take centre stage on this fun day. Sailing through the magnificent coastal waters along the 'heart' of Norway you will enjoy a wide array of educational lectures about the history of the national day, the Norwegian Royal family and the national costumes as well as being entertained with folk music and singing.
Not forgetting the special recipes and cream cakes! This truly is a unique chance to gain at first-hand a real understanding of Norway and its people through its cultural heritage, joining with locals and guests to celebrate Norway’s big day.
The History of Norway Day
Norway adopted its constitution in 1814, and it is this event that is celebrated on the 17th of May each year. The Storting, the Norwegian parliament, held the first
17th of May celebration in 1836, and from then this day was regarded as the national day. The first children’s processions were arranged in 1870 and since 1906, the Royal Family have gathered on the balcony of the Royal Palace in Oslo to wave to the children marching by.
Day 1 :
The cultural city of Bergen, the gateway to the fjords, is where your amazing journey begins with an evening departure. Relax and enjoy the stunning scenery. Sample the delicious cuisine for which Norway is renowned in the comfortable but informal dining room or make new friends in the bar. Share experiences with fellow passengers from the world over as well as meeting local people travelling between ports, or simply wonder at the views from the panorama lounge as you look forward to the next port of call.
Day 2 :
Early arrival at the enchanting Art Nouveau town of Ålesund, which is situated across several islands at the entrance to Geirangerfjord. On departures between 15 April and 14 September the ship will sail into the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site of Geirangerfjord, where tumbling waterfalls, rugged cliffs and majestic mountains are mirrored in the deep still water. Here you have the opportunity to join excursions ashore and weave through hairpin bends to overlook one of the world's longest fjords.
Day 3 :
The medieval city of Trondheim is today's highlight. Standing proud against the natural backdrop, its colourful history is reflected in handsome civic architecture. Excursions include the medieval Nidaros Cathedral or the enthralling Ringve Music Museum.
Day 4 :
In the early hours you experience the thrill of crossing the Arctic Circle as the voyage continues to the modern town of Bodø, from where you can join a Sea Eagle safari and witness the world's strongest maelstrom or 'whirling stream' at Saltstraumen. The Lofoten Islands are where the day draws to a close with a stop at the capital, Svolvær. The intriguing Magic Ice gallery of 'art below zero' is on the quay side and the stylish little town is just a few minutes away.
Day 5 :
Arrive in Tromsø - the capital of the Arctic. The simple interior of the Arctic Cathedral gives prominence to a triangular stained-glass window filling an entire wall. The Polar Museum and the Polaria centre explore Arctic life over the centuries and are complemented by modern shops and cafés just minutes from your cabins.
Day 6 :
After an early call at Hammerfest you arrive in Honningsvåg, the largest fishing village in Finnmark, and doorway to the wonders of the spectacular North Cape, mainland Europe's northernmost point at 71º north.
Day 7 :
Soon you reach Kirkenes, from where the emotive border with Russia a few kilometres away or the Sami communities of Northern Finland may be visited. Here the ship bids farewell to passengers travelling northbound only, and welcomes those joining for the southbound voyage. Ports visited by night on the way north are now seen by day.
Returning southward from Kirkenes the ship hugs the coast as it visits the remote settlements it continues to serve more than a century after the Hurtigruten was created to provide a vital link with the rest of the country, giving you the opportunity to see Norway as the Norwegians see it.
Day 8 :
Hammerfest, the world's most northerly town boldly claims to be the first in Europe to have electric street lighting. Starting point of Bill Bryson's journey described in Neither Here Nor There, this is the first major call. Continuing south, your night stop at Tromsø¸ offers the opportunity to enjoy the Midnight Sun summer concert in the Arctic Cathedral.
Day 9 :
The memorable sights of the Lofoten Islands will stay with you forever as the ship meanders gently through this stunning network of inlets and isles. It is possible to explore inland here by opting for the overland excursion from Harstad and rejoining the ship in Sortland. Moving on you reach what is the highlight of the voyage for many, where hopefully you can make a detour into spectacular Trollfjord.
As you venture into this dramatic fjord, you stand in awe of the Captain's prowess and skills of navigation, for the sheer sides of the cliffs seem close enough to touch. Sailing through the beautiful, mountainous island chains, rising to 1,000 metres in places, you can see fishermen's cabins built on stilts along the waterfront. This remarkable day is completed with an evening return to Svolvær and a farewell to the islands at Stamsund.
Day 10 :
Today as the ship crosses the Arctic Circle. Sailing past the famed peaks of the dancing Seven Sisters mountain range, folklore merges with the facts of nature - look out for Torghatten, which still bears the hole made by Hestmannen’s arrow in one of Norway's popular legends. The award-winning new museum at Rørvik celebrates the important part the sea has played in defining today's Norway.
Day 11 :
Early arrival in the fascinating medieval city of Trondheim. The voyage continues out of the Trondheimsfjord past Hitra Island to make brief calls at Kristiansund and Molde, known as the City of Roses and surrounded by 87 snow-capped mountains, before the midnight call at Ålesund and a last night at sea.
Day 12 :
The landscape becomes increasingly lush as the journey weaves through the islets and beautiful Bergen comes into view again. Before long it's time to say good-bye to the ship and ‘på gjensyn’ (‘until we meet again’) to friends, fellow passengers and our crew, as you disembark from your magnificent journey on the Norwegian Coastal Voyage. Arrive in Bergen early afternoon and disembark after brunch.
DEPARTURES 2010 :
7 May - MS Richard With
9 May - MS Trollfjord
10 May - MS Kong Harald
12 May - MS Midnatsol
13 May - MS Vesterålen
14 May - MS Nordkapp
VOYAGE FARES 2010 (PDF document will open in new window)
If you PC cannot open the PDF document, you will need to download the free PDF Reader from Adobe.com
